Aims. The aim of the study was to develop a quantitative scoring system
to predict whether a large-to-massive rotator cuff tear was arthroscopically
reparable prior to surgery. Patients and Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of the pre-operative MR imaging
and surgical records of 87 patients (87 shoulders) who underwent
arthroscopic repair of a large-to-massive rotator cuff tear. Patients
were divided into two groups, based on the surgical outcome of the
repair. Of the 87 patients, 53 underwent complete repair (Group
I) and 34 an incomplete repair (Group II). Pre-operative MR images
were reviewed to quantify several variables. Between-group differences
were evaluated and multiple logistic regression analysis was used
to calculate the predictive value of significant variables. The
reparability index (RI) was constructed using the odds ratios of
significant variables and a receiver operating characteristic curve
analysis performed to identify the optimal RI cutoff to differentiate
between the two groups. Results. The following variables were identified as independent predictors
of arthroscopic reparability: the size of the defect with medial-lateral
diameter (cutoff, 4.2 cm) and anterior-posterior diameter (cutoff,
3.7cm); Patte’s grade of muscle atrophy (cutoff, grade 3) and Goutallier
grade of fatty degeneration (cutoff, grade 3). An RI cutoff value
of 2.5 provided the highest differentiation between groups I and
II, with an area under the curve of 0.964, and a sensitivity of
73.5% and specificity of 96.2%. Conclusion. The RI developed in our study may prove to be an efficient clinical
scoring system to predict whether a large-to-massive rotator cuff
tear is arthroscopically reparable. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1656–61
